MONO - Pilgrimage of the Soul (Full Album)

Tracklist:
1. Riptide - 00:00:00
2. Imperfect Things - 00:05:52
3. Heaven In A Wild Flower - 00:12:18
4. To See The World - 00:19:28
5. Innocence - 00:23:30
6. The Auguries - 00:31:38
7. Hold Infinity In The Palm Of Your Hand - 00:39:08
8. And Eternity In An Hour - 00:51:30

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Pilgrimage of the Soul is the 11th studio album in the 22-year career of Japanese experimental rock legends, MONO. Recorded and mixed – cautiously, anxiously, yet opti- mistically – during the height of the COVID- 19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, Pilgrimage of the Soul is aptly named as it not only represents the peaks and valleys where MONO are now as they enter their third decade, but also charts their long, steady journey to this time and place.

Continuing the subtle but profound creative progression in the MONO canon that began with Nowhere Now Here (2019), Pilgrimage of the Soul is the most dynamic MONO album to date (and that’s saying a lot). But where MONO’s foundation was built on the well-established interplay of whisper quiet and devastatingly loud, Pilgrimage of the Soul crafts its magic with mesmerizing new electronic instrumentation and textures, and – perhaps most notably – faster tempos that are clearly influenced by disco and techno. It all galvanizes as the most unexpected MONO album to date – replete with surprises and as awash in splendor as anything this band has ever done.

MONO began in Japan at the end of the 20th Century as a young band equally inspired by the pioneers of moody experimental rock (My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai) and iconic Classical composers (Beethoven, Morricone) who came before them. They have evolved into one of the most inspiring and influential experimental rock bands in their own right. It is only fitting that their evolution has come at the glacial, methodical pace that their patient music demands. MONO is a band who puts serious value in nuance, and offers significant rewards for the wait.

"Glacial, metallic, all-consuming post-rock." – Stereogum
„Stunning, eloquent, emotionally gut-busting“ – Pop Matters
"It's the kind of album that's best played start to finish (and best played loudly), and that can truly suck you in and transport you to another world if you do so." – Brooklyn Vegan

[HollowHandCollective]

I stepped away from Mono for a few years, mainly just due to the overwhelming amount of post rock I'd pushed into my ears by that point. But, man, not only is this record amazing but I now get to go back and check out the last couple I missed!

[StneCldCrazy]

The Auguries feels like home. Favorite track.

[renanbianchi]

When music speaks to your soul, without saying a single word, literally. Bravo!

[Gabor...hachi.juu_ichi]

First impressions: like a quiet, warming, yet relentless tide of a pastel coloured Sunday afternoon!...will come back for more, as I ceaselessly have been for the past 20 years. Again, thank you Mono for your art!

[reikoyasuireavis]

I saw MONO in Phoenix this year for the first time! It was amazing! I cried.

[nishparadox]

Hauntingly beautiful. It drew me in slowly like a black-hole, but it's a wormhole.

Ever since I heard “And Eternity in an hour” it seemed like a wonderful lullaby to me, and I dreamed of putting it with my future daughter in my arms. I just fulfilled that wish ❤️

Desde que escuché “And Eternity in an hour” me pareció una canción de cuna maravillosa, y soñaba con ponerla con mi futura hija en mis brazos. Acabo de cumplir ese deseo ❤️

Love MONO

[TheRockBros]

I will not emotionally recover from this

[robomurf]

This is a lovely, lilting album to relax and feel good about. Apparently created during the time of the great Covid-19 Pandemic Variant, it fills us with rage and hope for a future not yet found. Japanese experimental rock group Mono came together in 2000, choosing to forgo vocals and concentrate instead on atmospheric, classical-inspired rock music. They have crafted a dynamic, shapeshifting sound that lends itself to long compositions, delivered in varying ranges of dynamics replete with improvisation, restraint, and an energy that bridges post-rock and heavy metal energy. Their recordings walk the line between spacious atmospherics, a lush yet delicate beauty, and overdriven, de-tuned raw power. To ice the cake on their 20-year anniversary celebration, Mono returned to Albini's Chicago studio while on a tour break. They recut three of their earliest songs -- "Com(?), " "L'America, " and "Halo" -- live from the studio floor. They issued them without overdubs or post-production as Before the Past: Live from Electrical Audio. In March 2021, Mono released a document of its remarkable 2019 British concert as Beyond the Past: Live in London with the Platinum Anniversary Orchestra. After the global COVID-19 pandemic ended the rest of their world tour, Mono spent the summer of 2020 writing, recording, and mixing. The end result, Pilgrimage of the Soul, was issued in October of 2021. It showcased an evolved sound offering faster tempos, electronics, and rhythms influenced by disco, techno, and other dance music. This is a truly wonderful album to have and appreciate as a classical rock album of sorts. Pax and love, Murf

[iaoshua]

MONO is so classic. This is there best album in awhile too

[ZStalker]

MONO... You are the BEST. Thank you, Aishitemasu.

[TheSunBurnsBright]

This album is fantastic! A lot different to their earlier work but, still MONO. I’m even hearing a little Godspeed thrown in there. Their last two albums + this one have been absolutely stellar. Requiem for Hell is underrated as shit.

[qotsa]

I love the electronic addition in imperfect things, best song of this excellent record.

[stevebond]

After repeated listens, this album is easily one of my favorite Mono albums. It’s different, the drum tempos are varied and interesting (Too See The World, ) it flows well. I’m really digging this one.

[mortheres]

Love the "raw" sound of the drums on this one. It’s not over-processed as too many records these days. So refreshing ! Love this album as well.

[abluesun]

Listening to this made me imagine going into a bar or any atmosphere, and post-rock is playing on the radio, and everyone in that space knows of, and has love for this music. #Post-Rock Forever

[lizzieliz]

There are many ways to postrock worth exploring but at the end of each is MONO. Mercilessly emotional.

[TenayaVirgin]

Finished listening to the whole album. All their/your music is stellar! This, spectacular! It feels like they/you captured the global feeling of the covid experience...MONO, with kindness from Portland, OR...was their for your first, in between and in April 2022.

[octogunsalata]

I'm glad that there are still bands like Mono around within this endlessly with boredom and repetition flooded genre.

[max-napoli]

Woooh man! Lord Mono.. like so much the electronics (which probably had to be also in Nowhere). Love this work!